Be Different!

My daughter has a bulletin board in her room that she decorates and puts up photos and quotes and all her favorite things. She posted this picture the other day because she loves all things zebra print and loves zebras. I like this photo. It is funny and you can probably come up with a few good jokes about it, too. When I asked her what would be a good title for this picture she stated simply, “Be different”.

This picture captures the hopes and prayers that I have for my children. I want them to be a part of the world around them but to stand out and be different. I want them to live out Deuteronomy 6:5- “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” I want them to have enough confidence to go the opposite direction of the crowd.

The other part of this picture that makes it unique is that all the zebras are together. The different zebra isn’t off in a corner somewhere separate from the others. This zebra is standing side by side but choosing to walk in an opposite direction. I believe we, as Christians, can live out our faith in the world. It takes prayer and confidence from God to be different but we can do it.

My prayer for my children is that they will always choose the things of God. I am raising my children in a world that no longer defines morality based on the commandments of God. Society seems to have let God fade into oblivion. I hope that when they feel tempted to follow what the world defines as right or just, that they do an “about face” and head the opposite way. I realize this won’t be easy. There will be times that they will be rejected, lonely and will find going against the crowd is a difficult decision. However, I know that I serve a God who can guard the hearts of each of my children and teach them to stand boldly in the world and BE DIFFERENT!!